Curing cancer

What constitutes a cure ?

A cure means that a disease has been eradicated and will not return. The dictionary says"make healthy again "

Is it really possible? It may depend upon the definition.

Where does the cure take place? In time: that means that the disease never returns.
In the mind : that means that normal life resumes . The thought of the disease returns to the baseline worry.


The worst situation: Treatment is toxic and there is no benefit. Treatment makes the situation worse. Death due to treatment.


The best situation: Cure with no toxicity. Spontaneous cure . It happens.


The usual situation: Treatment provides something less than cure. Treatment is toxic. Is it worth it?

1. The oncologist has several dissperate simultaneous goals. These include

1. cure,
2. prolongation of life,
3. improving quality of life,
4. providing hope,
5. providing accurate and realisitic information,
6. psychological support of both the patient and those who care for him and those that care about him.